Reported crime in Ottery fell in November - with police recording 23 incidents, compared to 26 for the same period last year.

PCSO Maria Clapp told the town council that alleged assaults made up a quarter of the total.

She said that on Tar Barrels night, November 5, a purse was stolen, a car’s rear window was damaged and a man punched a pane of glass at a pub after being refused entry due to there being a private function.

During November, police also recorded several incidents of criminal damage to vehicles, theft by finding, theft of a motor vehicle and an alleged grievous bodily harm with intent. A rubbish bin was also taken.

A car parked in Mill Street had its lights and bumper damaged. Police said the person responsible owned up. Enquiries are ongoing at a building site after thieves used an angle grinder to remove a six-foot fence before stealing an electrical copper cable.

In a separate incident, items were stolen from a building site after thieves gained entry to a kitchen and storage container.

The total number of reported crimes so far this year stands at 176.